How to raise a cypres tree from its cones

several days ago I have collected some cones from a I think a common cypres (cypressus sempervirens).
The cones are still not open.
My question is:How to raise a tree from this cones?
Is it enough to put them into earth in a pot or outside and wait until maybe a tree starts to grow?

Many thx in advance for your reply.

6 Oct, 2009

Answers

I have not tried growing Cypressus from seed before, but I have grown Pinus sp. For those, I put the cones on a window sill, where they dried out and eventually released their seed. I then sowed in pots of compost outdoors. I suspect they will need a cold period to break the seed dormancy. Perhaps someone else will have more info?

Do as Sid suggests to gather the seed. Sow in late winter in a pot, only just covering the seed with grit, and place in a cold frame, or put the pot in the fridge for 3 weeks. After the cold treatment it will germinate in 1 - 2 months once the temperature is 20C, which you should be able to provide. The seedlings are prone to damping off so should be kept somewhere well-ventilated. Plant out in autumn.